74–80 Portland Street
| 74–80 Portland Street | |
|---|---|
74–80 Portland Street in 2019 | |
Location within Greater Manchester | |
| General information | |
| Type | Commercial and public house |
| Location | Portland Street, Manchester, England |
| Coordinates | 53°28′40″N 2°14′23″W / 53.4779°N 2.2397°W |
| Year built | Late 18th century (probable) |
| Design and construction | |
| Designations | |
Listed Building – Grade II | |
| Official name | Nos 74–78, and No 80 (The Grey Horse public house) and attached railings, Portland Street |
| Designated | 6 June 1994 |
| Reference no. | 1246954 |
| Other information | |
| Public transit access | Manchester Oxford Road |
| Website | |
| Grey Horse Inn | |
74–80 Portland Street is a Grade II listed terrace of four late 18th‑century former town houses, now commercial buildings, on Portland Street in Manchester city centre, England. No. 80 has long been occupied by the Grey Horse Inn, a public house that is frequently noted as one of the smallest pubs in the city. The block forms part of the commercial corridor that developed along the street during the city's industrial expansion, when Portland Street became a major route lined with warehouses, offices, shops, and public houses.
History
The terrace was probably constructed in the late 18th century and was subsequently altered.[1]
The form of the windows in the upper storeys suggests that the top floors of the terrace were originally used as weavers' workshops,[2] or for other industrial purposes.[3]
No. 80 Portland Street is occupied by the Grey Horse Inn, a long‑established public house and one of the smallest pubs in Manchester.[4][5] The building forms the western end of the listed terrace and is three doors away from another small public house, the Circus Tavern.
Licensed premises have existed on the site since at least the mid-19th century.[6] Despite significant redevelopment in the surrounding area, the Grey Horse Inn has remained in continuous use as a public house.
On 6 June 1994, the terrace was designated a Grade II listed building.[1]
The Grey Horse Inn is currently operated by Hydes Brewery and is noted for its compact interior, narrow bar area, and traditional layout, features that reflect the constraints of the original building footprint. Its long‑standing presence and small scale have made it a recognised example of Manchester's surviving Victorian‑era pubs.
See also
References
- ^ a b Historic England. "Nos 74–78, and No 80 (The Grey Horse public house) and attached railings, Portland Street (Grade II) (1246954)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ "Manchester Historic Pub Walk". Historic England. Archived from the original on 27 April 2025. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ "Nos 74–78, and No 80 (The Grey Horse Public House) and Attached Railings, Portland Street". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ "Grey Horse" (PDF). Walks from the Door. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ Clarke, Liv (7 August 2025). "Northern beer brewer hails 'tremendous honour' as two Manchester pubs named amongst best in the country". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ "Grey Horse, Manchester". Campaign for Real Ale. Retrieved 13 March 2026.